ACDC: Air Conditioner Decisions and Choices

Many of the houses we were looking at while househunting did not have air conditioning; it's a fact of living in an older neighborhood - most of the brick bungalows were built in the 40s and 50s and just don't have them. We even heard a funny nickname for our style of house: the Park Hill brick oven.

While we thought we could live without, it turns out that should have been a deal-breaker. Or at least a negotiating point! We moved during the hottest weekend of the year and what followed was three weeks of 100 degree + days. We were hot, cranky, mean folks. I was reluctant to turn on the stove or oven because that would make the heat worse, worried the dog would melt while we were gone during the day, and so tired from no sleep! My dad finally scored us the last portable AC in the state (we couldn't have window units since ours slide vertically). It was a great temporary solution but we decided to take the plunge and go for a real central air unit.

After a couple of weeks of quotes (and even grand illusions of DIY with a friend), we decided on a local company and a lower-priced unit (as opposed to a national company who only sells high-end units). While the sticker shock was a little hard to swallow (you mean we could go to Tahiti for the same price?) we decided it was worth the investment for resell value. Not to mention the investment in our sanity!

So far we are thrilled. I even put on slippers the other day while baking in the kitchen. Slippers! In July! Glorious. I might change my mind after we see our first Xcel bill, but for now I'm a happy (indoor, airconditioned) camper.